§ COLONEL MUREI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War a Question of which I have given him private Notice—namely, Whether any regiments of the Line are being completed up to their war strength in case additional reinforcements should be required for the Army in Zululand, or in the other British Colonies of South Africa, and, if so, what regiments; and if no regiments are thus being completed, whether the right hon. and gallant Gentleman will inform the House what troops will be sent out should additional re-inforcements be required?
§ COLONEL STANLEYIn answer to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I have to say that upon the regiments becoming what is called first for service on the roster they are gradually brought up to their proper strength. That is so under ordinary circumstances, as different bat- 282 talions go abroad to complete their tour, whether of active or foreign service. We are not taking any unusual steps to fill up the battalions; nor, at the present time, do I apprehend that re-inforcements will be required. Perhaps I may be allowed to add that the number of battalions sent out was in excess of those demanded by the authorities on the spot. I would further state, in order to put myself technically right, that the battalions sent out to the Cape are, in round numbers, 840 strong. A battalion technically on the war strength would be over 1,000 strong. It is not intended to bring them up to that strength.